Alexander craig mather



A. G. MATHER.

WHEEL.

No. 452,047. PatentedMaJy 12,1891.

" UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

ALEXANDER CRAIG MATHER, OF MONTREAL, CANADA.

WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 452,047, dated May 12, 1891. Application filed November 22, 1890. Serial No. 372,326. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER CRAIG MATHER, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at the city of Montreal, in the district of Montreal and Province of Quebee, Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in \Vheels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same. I

Thisinvention has reference to an improved construction of the wheels for vehicles; and it consists in the novel combination of parts which willbe hereinafterset forth and claimed, and the objects of which are, first, to reduce to a minimum the friction of the wheel turning on the axle; second, to provide a strong, durable, and cheap construction adapted to both light and heavy vehicles and having such further advantages as may be herein after described. Iattain these objects by the wheel illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters and numerals of reference indicate like parts.

Figurel is a side elevation of the principal portion of a wheel embodying my invention. This is shown with half of the hubplate cl removed and a section of the collar 1) at the position of the line so in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the axle, hub, and rim of the wheel, taken at line as m, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the hub-plate at detached. Fig. 4: is a section of the hub-plate d, taken on line 00 Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the hub-plates d detached. Fig. 6 is a section on line 00 Fig. 5, of the hub-plates d.

The axle a is of ordinary construction, but is provided with grooved collars b, which may; be made integral therewith or secured thereon by shrinking or otherwise, as desired. They are adapted for the anti-friction balls 0 to roll in.

The hub of the wheel is formed of four annular hub-plates, one d, two (1', and one 61 The plates cl and d are in a measure not alike, while the two plates (1' are exactly alike. The hub-plate d is provided with a number of (about) semicircular projections 6. These project the amount of the thickness or diameter of the spokes, so that they form suitable lugs for the spokes g to hook upon, the bends of the spokes being made to agree with the body.

curved inner surfaces of the projections c that the spokes are in contact with. It will be seen that the spokes are formed in pairs, each pair out of one bar bent approximately to the form of a U, the loops of which connect with the projections 6, while the single ends connect with the rim 8 of the wheel, as will be hereinafter more particularly mentioned.

The circular projectionfextends out the amount of about-half the thickness or diameter of the spokes g and is provided withad'epression h, which, with a corresponding depression i in the plates (1 andd form, when the pairs of plates are placed together, a groove for the anti-friction balls c to roll in. On the inside surface of the plates cl a groove is formed for the ends of the sleeve 2 to enter into, as shown only in Fig. 2.

k is a shoulder formed near the periphery of the plates d.

The hub-plates (l d are provided with flanges Z, so that when they are each placedtogether with a plate (1' each pair of plates is locked in position the one with the other by the flange l engaging with the shoulder 75. The recess m receives about half of the pro jections e. The circular projection n agrees with the projection f. When the plates are placed together, the faces are sufliciently close so that the anti-friction balls 0 may roll in the parts it and 'L' of the groove almost equally as well as if the groove were formed in a solid Portions of the flange Z are removed, as shown at 1, to give room for the spokes g. All the plates 01 cl (:1 are provided with holes 3 for the bolts 9 to pass through.

As far as has been hereinabove described, the plates d and d are alike. Their differences are as follows: In the plate d the annular body forming the plate is provided with a central part 4, which ineloses the end of the axle andprotects itfroxn dust. It also prevents the lubricant used from escaping in this direction. In the plate (Z the part 4 is omitted, but instead on it is attached (see Fig. 2) by bolts 5 a number of rigid washers 6 and-flexible washers '7. These are placed alternately.

The washers 7 are fitted to the axle and are for the purpose of retarding the escape of the lubricant used on the anti-friction balls 0 and the entry of dust, &e., thereto, while the washers 6 serve as distance-pieces between the washers 7.

The rim 8 of the wheel is of channel crosssection and is provided with eyes for the ends of the spokes, which are bent to pass through, as shown. These are riveted over on the outside. The connections of the spokes with the rim are made eirounuferentially opposite each other in the two Webs of the rim, so that in the tightening of the spokes no distortion of the rim will be caused.

The parts are built together in the following manner: Having attached the spokes to the rim, the flanges Z are put in place with the loops of the spokes engaged with the projeetions e. The plates (1 are then thrust apart, thus drawing the spokes tight. The sleeve 2 is then put in place to hold the plates (1' apart and the spokes tight. The axle having grooved collars Z) the proper distance apart to agree with the plates d is now put in place and the anti-friction balls 0 placed in posi- The plates (Z and (Z are then put on and tion.

secured with the bolt 9, the nuts of which are preferably on the inside of the wheel, thus binding the parts of the hub together.

10 is a plug in the sleeve 2, by removing which lubricants may be introduced to the inside of the sleeve 2.

lVhat- I claim is as follows:

The combination, in awheel and axle of a vehicle, of the axle having grooved collars adapted for anti-friction balls to roll in, with anti-friction balls, hub-plates made in two pairs, each plate of the pairs having a portion of a groove adapted for the anti-friction balls to roll in, said hub-plates being further adapted for the spokes to engage with, with bolts 9, and retaining-sleeves adapted to hold the pairs of hub-plates apart and keep the spokes tight, with the spokes and rim, the whole substantially as described.

ALEXANDER CRAIG MATHER.

Witnesses:

CHARLES G. (J. SIMPSON,

J. P. 810mm. 

